Although Ms. Siyufy raises some interesting issues about the U.S. being a "fast food nation," she fails to accurately interpret the situation ("New McDonald's opening shows misplaced efforts," March 19). Those who wait in line aren't there solely for more of the same food. They are there to see the newly-remodeled store. Curiosity. Such grand-reopenings are exciting. Just because it involves fast food doesn't justify berating those customers without berating the others who engage in the same behavior. Is she saying it was wrong of McDonald's to remodel a restaurant built in the 1970s to bring it up to date? Would it be wrong of the university to remodel the fourth floor of Bigler Hall to bring it up to date? In fact, why do you think most new or newly-remodeled businesses or facilities hold open houses that draw large crowds? Everyone enjoys seeing the improvement.

In the same vein, is Ms. Siyufy criticizing those who camp out for Star Wars tickets, the Nintendo Wii, the Playstation 3, and the residents of Paternoville? They are fundamentally the same. It's not an unhealthy obsession; it is something fun to do. There is no deeper issue here. I also think it is unfair of Ms. Siyufy to chastise the restaurant patrons for not finding a better use of their time. While it is her right to do so, it is in bad taste to make such a blind generalization about the "McWaiters." Picking on people in queues isn't going to cure cancer or prove Fermat's last theorem. I hope she'll consider these points the next time she decides to be unconstructive.